"I don't have a timetable," Saban said. "I know you guys (in the media) are always looking for results, and who's starting where and when you're going to name a starter. That doesn't mean anything to me. It's helping every player play to his capacity, being the best they can be and then who has the best opportunity to help our team be successful in what they do. I don't think you can put a timetable on how long it takes for that to happen."

Review the Press-Register's story here with comments from McElroy and Jackson about the pending competition.

"Nobody has thrown the ball or done anything to this point, so we don't have any evaluations," Saban said. "We are pleased with the progress that those guys have made. We're just going to have to let things happen during the course of spring practice and I think it will be critical for those guys in terms of their improvement and gaining the confidence of the other players on the team."

Click below for more pre-spring updates ...

*** After spending bowl practices in the secondary, sophomore Chris Jackson is set to move back to wide receiver this spring. Sophomore outside linebacker Jerrell Harris also will "probably" move to inside linebacker this spring, per Saban. Michael Williams, a true freshman linebacker last year, will remain at tight end after moving before the Sugar Bowl.

*** Sophomore B.J. Scott, who has moved to defense, will start off at safety, Saban said. Scott could also see time at cornerback in the near future, according to Saban, who stressed that Scott's switch from receiver "is just an experiment. It's not a final decision."

*** Saban said he still speaks "quite a bit." with former UA left tackle Andre Smith, who recently endured a rough experience at the NFL combine. Saban said he encourages all his players to participate at the combine, which Smith did not do, drawing a heap of criticism after choosing to leave Indianapolis early without working out.

"I certainly think in Andre's case with his athleticism and his ability to run, his character, his attitude," Saban said, "he would have enhanced his position by doing more."

*** There has been no change from Alabama's earlier update on offseason surgeries. Tailback Roy Upchurch (neck) has now been cleared for all conditioning work but will be restricted form contact this spring. Receiver Earl Alexander (shoulder) will also be no-contact in the spring. Tight end Colin Peek (foot) was recently cleared to begin running in offseason drills and should be full-go for spring practice, along with other players to undergo offseason procedures.

*** Junior tailback Terry Grant is still a member of Alabama's program despite rumors he would transfer after the Sugar Bowl.

"He's still here," Saban said. "He's done a great job in the offseason program. We'd like to find a role for him. He's done a really good job in everything he's done and we're hopeful that he'll have a great spring."

*** Alabama's new arrivals this spring -- running back Jermaine Preyear, linemen James Carpenter, Kerry Murphy and Chance Warmack -- have "done a good job," in the fourth quarter conditioning program, Saban said.

*** Saban said he has been "really pleased," with new assistant coaches Sal Sunseri and James Willis, who both are on the defensive side of the football.